How to Improve Curb Appeal in an Urban Area

Urban life typically means living in a condominium, townhome, or apartment building. However, that doesn’t mean savvy homeowners can’t take proactive steps to enhance curb appeal. If you’re gearing up to sell your place in the city, there are several things you can do to improve your curb appeal and make your home more enticing.

Here are some actionable steps to take that will help make your home look beautiful and visually appealing to potential buyers.

1. Complete Pest & Trash Control

a person placing trash into a trash can in a backyard

While the benefits of townhomes and condos are numerous, living right next to other people does bring the added challenge of pests and trash. Mitigating these issues is important before listing a property on the marketplace.

Here are some helpful pest control tips that keep your place clean and well-kept:

Remove all trash – From around the home’s exterior, since trash will attract everything from mice and rats to insects like flies and cockroaches.
Contact a reliable pest control company – Ask them to do an inspection and apply the proper pest control treatment.
Get pest-free certified – Ask the company to provide an official certificate showing your home is pest-free.
Address any bird mess – Which can turn the outside of a beautiful home into an eyesore.
Learn what attracts pests – So you know what you can do to reduce the problem, keeping your property clean until it’s time to sell.

2. Give Exteriors a Fresh Coat of Paint

When it comes to curb appeal, there’s nothing quite as effective as applying a fresh coat of paint to your space. Make sure you use high-quality exterior paint that can handle all types of weather.

Choose versatile, neutral colors that will appeal to a wide range of buyers. Visually attractive hues include colors like deep red, blues, or warm greens. You can also go a bit more muted with shades of gray or cream.

If you don’t have the time or the budget to paint the entire exterior of your home, focus on the door, exterior trim, and window shutters for a nice, updated look. It’s perfectly fine to go bold, but make sure the colors don’t clash with the rest of the homes in the neighborhood.

3. Focus On the Small Touches

While most urban homes don’t have a front yard, there are still things homeowners can do to improve curb appeal. Focus on the small touches to elevate the look of your space, like door hardware and new lighting.

For example, you can:

Replace exterior door handles, hinges, door knockers, and peephole covers – Use something new and trending (just make sure it all matches) for a fresh look.
Upgrade the lighting – Including any porch or landing lights to make the home brighter and more inviting (solar lights and LED bulbs are great energy-saving choices).
Add greenery – If there’s no yard, place a few potted plants on the front stoop or plant some small hedges on either side of the door to add some life and greenery.

4. Brighten Up a Brick Home

Many homes in urban areas are made of brick or have a brick facade, so it’s important to ensure that these types of homes are in great condition before they’re put up for sale.

Consider power washing the brick to remove mildew and dirt, making it look brand-new. You can also apply some paint or stain, or whitewash the brick to freshen things up. While this process takes time and effort, it’s well worth the investment.

Before you update the appearance of the brick, it’s crucial to do some basic repairs if you notice any cracks or gaps in the joints. This makes the front of the home look better and reinforces the property’s structural integrity.

After the brick is repaired, apply a quality primer before painting it. When whitewashing brick, remove old paint and debris before beginning the process.

Summary

Whether you’re dealing with pest control issues or the front of your home simply looks outdated, remember these tips to enhance the curb appeal of your urban home.

A few simple steps will instantly enhance the aesthetic of any city dwelling. From adding a coat of paint to improving door hardware, these small changes will produce impressive results and may even help sell your home faster.

Are you thinking about selling a house in Philadelphia or the surrounding areas? At Brotherly Love Real Estate, we can help you sell your house fast for cash. We buy houses in any condition, helping you close on your property in as little as 21 days. Contact us to learn more and get your FREE cash offer.